This is from my story: HOW TO BE A QUEEN (Myths Finding Love #1)

Set after the events of How I Fell For Death. Aurea and Aidon were born 2013 and this is the Valentine’s Day eighteen years after that.

 SONG: A Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay (Media Link available) :)

February 14, 2031
Artists and Reader’s Nook
Paris, France

“She walks in beauty, like the night

   Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that’s best of dark and bright

   Meet in her aspect and her eyes;

Thus mellowed to that tender light

   Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

   Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,

   Or softly lightens o’er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express,

   How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,

   So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

   But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

   A heart whose love is innocent!”

Hades’ deep baritone echoed across the little café we loved so much as he spoke a poem by Lord Byron that he memorized by heart.

I sighed and looked around the place after wiping a single tear from my eye. This was where we first came when we were in Paris. I remembered going here after our fight more than eighteen years ago.

Of course, we made up. Then he brought me here and I fell in love with this place at first sight. It was perfect! I also remembered drawing him here and the owner framing and displaying my work.

Eighteen years later, that painting I did was still there on the wall.

Sadly, the owner already passed away.

I remembered our encounter in the Underworld. Hades and I guided him to Elysium and while we did that, he shared so much stories about this quaint little café.

He passed away but his legacy did not. It turned out his son was much more of a romantic. Now, this was not simply a place where you can get coffee and draw or paint. Now, there were several nights where there was poetry reading.

Some people can go here and read poems they wrote themselves or recite old poems that captured their heart.

It was Valentine’s Day today and the café was packed.

All of them clapped after Hades’ finished reciting his poem. I felt all the emotions he poured into that and I couldn’t help but remember all the courtship poems he recited for me before.

He grinned from ear-to-ear as he made his way back towards me.

He took my hand and lifted it to his lips. And like always, my heart jumped and an electric current ran through me at the contact. We’ve been married for nineteen years yet everything still felt the same.

There was no dull moment in our marriage and every day, I felt as if I loved him more and more.

“Did you like that?” he whispered in my ear.

“What do you think?” I replied breathlessly.

He tilted his head to the side and scrutinized my face. Then, he lifted his head and wiped another stray tear of joy that I didn’t manage to hold back.

“I think you liked it very much,” he whispered.

“Of course! You’re like the most romantic guy, ever. You infuse your words with your emotions. Some people wear their hearts on their sleeves, you use yours to speak. Some days, I think you should replace Eros.”

Hades rolled his eyes and sat beside me. Then, he pulled me closer and his fingers tilted my chin upwards to receive his kiss. Again, I sighed at the contact. His lips on mine were just perfect. His lips lingered over mine and with much hesitation, he pulled back.

Then, he laughed.

“I do not want to replace Eros. I do not want to be portrayed as a god who shoots arrows into people’s hearts. Besides, who’d run the Underworld?”

It’s my turn to laugh. “It’s just a thought. I don’t want you to really do it. I don’t want you to turn promiscuous like Eros.”

Again, he laughed and the sound slid through me like silk. “Ah… But I heard Eros already changed after he met Psyche.”

“I hope so. I don’t want Aurea’s friend to be broken-hearted over him. Hmm. Speaking of that, what do you think are Aurea and Aidon—“

I didn’t get to finish what I was saying for he placed his finger against my lips. “They’re grown up. They’re immortal. They can take care of themselves. I thought this day was for us alone?” he whispered.

“You’re right… I just can’t help but worry.”

“Don’t, sweetheart. Thanatos won’t let anything happen to Aurea and you know Aidon is now very powerful. I’m thinking he’s with Helen.”

“Alright. No more worrying about our children, I promise.”

“Good. Because our night is just starting and I have a lot more in store for you.” His voice held so much promise that I blushed to the roots of my hair.

“Really? And what would that be?” I whispered in his ear. This time, it was him who shivered.

“Finish your coffee and you’ll see.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. I quickly gulped my coffee and finished the bagel I was munching on. Hades threw a couple of bills on the table and then he grabbed my hand and we exited the café and breathed in the cold air of the streets of Paris.

I wrapped Hades’ scarf more securely around his neck before we continued our stroll.

“Tell me one thing. This whole night, are we supposed to spend it here on Paris?”

His eyes twinkled and I even if he did not answer, I knew the answer to my question. I giggled with anticipation and leaned into him when he used his powers to teleport me to wherever his surprise lay.

“Open your eyes,” he whispered.

I did. And then music started to play.

“Once in your life you find her
Someone who turns your heart around
And next thing you know
You’re closing down the town…”

It was our song.

It was sang by one of the Nine Muses while the others played the melody on violins and a harp. Her beautiful voice made my knees go weak and my heart to beat faster.

I sighed and leaned closer. Hades took my hand and led me to the middle where a red carpet was laid out. White and red petals were strewn everywhere.

I looked around and noticed that we were definitely on the Eiffel Tower. At a night like this, this place should have been crowded with lovers! But tonight, it was not. It was only me and him and the muses who stood on one corner.

“Wake up and she’s still with you
Even though you left her way across town
You’re wondering to yourself
Hey, what have I found?”

Hades took my hands and placed my palms on his chest. This was just like our first date. But it wasn’t in Paris. It was on the balcony of our bedroom. It was perfect but this one… It was more than perfect. I don’t even have the words to describe it.

We started to sway to the beautiful melody.

“When you get caught between
The moon and New York City…
I know it’s crazy, but it’s true.
If you get caught between
the moon and New York City…
The best that you can do,
The best that you can do
…Is fall in love…”

This song was so appropriate for us. We met in the great city of New York and that was where we fell in love. Our marriage was rocky from the start but I was so glad that we found our way to each other.

Now, I had this great man all to myself.

And take note: I am never letting him go.

I pressed my body closer to his and his warmth along with his masculine scent enveloped me. Again, my knees threatened to buckle. He must’ve felt it for he wrapped his arms around me tighter.

I closed my eyes and just reveled in the feeling of being in his arms. Nineteen years of marriage and I am never going to get tired of this. Ever.

Then, the song ended and the muses vanished.

Reluctantly, I stepped away and looked up. He had this handsome grin I loved so much. Then, he reached behind him and retrieved a small box. Knowing him, it was another jewelry that I could add to my collection.

Hades gave jewelries for every occasion. Well, he was the god of riches after all. Everything under the soil belonged to him. Needless to say, my closet was filled with diamonds and precious gems. Some were even yet to be discovered by humans for they were buried miles beneath the earth.

He flipped the lid open and nestled inside was another charm for my bracelet. It was in the shape of a star and it was made of pink diamonds.

When we were first married and we first went here to Paris, Hades gave me a charm bracelet. And every time we travelled or there was a special occasion, he added a charm to commemorate that event. I had several charm bracelets now for we’ve been together for so many years already.

There was one charm that stood out amongst the others: a heart with one side made of blue diamonds and the other side was made out of pink diamonds. It was the one Hades gave me right after our twins were born.

But from all my charms, he never gave me one shaped into a star.

I tried hard to think what it meant and for what occasion it was for but I came up with nothing. And it seemed as if my husband was waiting for me to ask.

So I took his bait and asked, “A star? Why?”

“Look up,” he replied.

I did.

Then my jaw fell.

And my heart stopped.

It was a meteor shower! The first one I’ve ever watched in my whole life!

It was stunning. Nothing could ever compare to watching tiny pinpricks of light rush across the dark canvass of the night sky.

“Wow.” That was the only word I could manage. It was as if my brain was turned to mush at the magnificence before me.

Truly, I was the luckiest girl in the entire universe.

Hades pulled me closer and I felt his warm breath against my temple. Then, he tilted my head up so I could receive his kiss. I didn’t really want to look away from the stars but more than that, I didn’t want to stop kissing him.

One touch, one kiss from him and I burned. My nights with him consisted of so much pleasure that if I died right then and there, I would’ve died with a smile on my face. But I can’t die because I’m immortal now.

But it was close.

Hades pulled away with a sigh.

“There’s plenty of time for that tonight, my queen. For now, watch the heavens,” he instructed.

I did, again.

The meteor showers stopped. And when the stars stopped falling, I noticed there were several bright stars on the dark sky.

I squinted my eyes for there was something familiar about it.

And then it hit me.

It looked like a crown! And it was shaped like mine!

“Oh my gods!” I exclaimed.

Hades laughed. He stood behind me and wrapped his arms around me. Then his lips traced a path down my neck as I marveled at the new constellation.

“This will be the night that mortal astronomer and stargazers will marvel at this new constellation. This is my gift to you, my queen.”

My heart stopped. I shit you not, it literally stopped and all the breath was knocked out of my lungs.

“This constellation will be known as the ‘Queen of the Underworld.’”

Tears flowed down my face. The star charm was not for the meteor shower. It was for this constellation he did for me! When Hades did things, he never did them half-heartedly. This was just so much!

“H-how?” I stammered.

He shrugged. “I pulled some strings.”

I sighed and turned around. This time, it was I who pulled his head down so that I could kiss him. And I kissed him with all my heart. I poured out everything I felt for him: my unending love, my gratitude, my desire.

“I love you.”

“Not as much as I love you, my darling wife.”

“Thank you, Hades.” I whispered against his lips as I gestured at the heavens.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, my Queen.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day, my King.”

***********************************

Watch out for the next one-shots!

Thanatos/Aurea, Zeus/Hera, Sage/Alexander, Nikos/Cassia

*sighs* 

Why can't I find my own Hades? :))

Thanks for reading!

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